It’s been 10 years since there has been so much interest surrounding the presentation of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The last time Spanish racing fans had such high hopes of seeing Fernando Alonso — a true idol in his country — triumph was in 2013, when the two-time world champion drove for Ferrari.
Alonso then climbed to the top step of the podium in Barcelona. However, since that time, he has never been in on it in front of his supporters. In fact, it was his last victory in F1, and the last for a Spanish driver at home.
The 41-year-old veteran is enjoying a boost this season as Aston Martin is establishing itself as the biggest surprise of the season in F1 — the team owned by Quebec businessman Lawrence Stroll has been in the game in every race. Alonso has also scored five podiums in six races so far this season, and he just recorded his best result, a second place, at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend.
“I climbed one more step on the podium [à Monaco], but there is still one missing that I would like to reach by the next races, admitted Alonso. It will be a party in Barcelona. There are so many Aston Martin fans in Spain right now.”
A record crowd is expected to gather in the stands at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend to cheer on Alonso and his compatriot Carlos Sainz Jr. Over 40,000 tickets sold out in the first hours of going on sale last year, with more tickets available this year. In total, more than 100,000 spectators are expected at the circuit for Sunday’s race.
Alonso, who won the F1 Drivers’ Championship with Renault in 2005 and 06, is eyeing his 33rd career win in motorsport’s premier series. After narrowly escaping the title in 2013, he had a difficult season at Ferrari in 2014 before experiencing a bad spell at McLaren between 2015 and 2018. He then left F1 before returning in 2021 with Alpine — it was with the French team that he recorded his only podium after leaving Ferrari, in Qatar, before this season.
Alonso, who also won in Barcelona in 2006, played down expectations heading into the Spanish Grand Prix despite his strong start to the season. He also recalled that Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain the favorites to win this year.
“And we still haven’t seen the improvements that will be made to Mercedes and Ferraris on a more traditional circuit. [comme Barcelone]. We must therefore keep our two feet on the ground, ”warned Alonso.
The Spaniard admitted he doesn’t want to ‘disappoint anyone’ by raising expectations of him, and added that he definitely doesn’t want to add ‘additional pressure on the team or myself’.
“There will be some weekends this season where we have to settle for seventh or eighth place, and we will have to accept that other teams will be fighting for the podium at that time,” he said. .
Alonso is currently third in the driver standings after finishing third in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Miami. also finished in fourth place in Azerbaijan.
His teammate at Aston Martin, Quebecer Lance Stroll, is having a little more difficulty this season and is in eighth place in the driver standings. He was also forced to retire in Monaco last weekend.
Circuit de Catalunya will get a makeover this season, as a chicane has been removed in the final sector to make the layout flow more and look like the one used in 2006. Verstappen is the defending Spanish Grand Prix champion .
Furthermore, the Catalan race will be Aston Martin’s first since the official opening of their new state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone, England.